Kohei Arihara (有原 航平, Arihara Kōhei, born August 11, 1992) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
| Kohei Arihara | |
|---|---|
 Arihara with the Fighters | |
| Texas Rangers | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 11, 1992 Hiroshima, Japan | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| NPB: May 15, 2015, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB: April 3, 2021, for the Texas Rangers | |
| NPB statistics (through 2020 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 60–50 |
| Earned run average | 3.74 |
| Strikeouts | 626 |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–4 |
| Earned run average | 6.64 |
| Strikeouts | 24 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Career
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters selected Arihara with the third selection in the 2014 NPB draft.[1]
On May 15, 2015, Arihara made his NPB debut. He won the Pacific League Rookie of the Year after pitching to an 8-8 record with 102 strikeouts.[2][3] Arihara won the Japan Series in the 2016 season, and was also a NPB All-Star after he posted a 2.94 ERA and 11-9 record in 22 appearances.
In 2017, Arihara registered a 10-13 record and 4.74 ERA in 25 appearances. In 20 games in 2018, Arihara pitched to a 8-5 record and a 4.55 ERA with 87 strikeouts. In 2019, Arihara led the NPB in wins, with 15, and was named an All-Star for the second time in his career. In 2020, Arihara recorded an 8-9 record and 3.46 ERA in 20 games.
After the 2020 season, on November 26, 2020, the Fighters announced they were allowing Arihara to enter the posting system to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).[4]
Texas Rangers
On December 26, 2020, Arihara signed a two-year contract worth $6.2 million[5] with the Texas Rangers of MLB.[6][7] On April 3, 2021, Arihara made his MLB debut as the starting pitcher against the Kansas City Royals, allowing 3 earned runs in 5.0 innings of work with 1 strikeout.
On May 22, 2021, it was revealed that Arihara had a posterior circumflex humeral artery aneurysm in his right shoulder, which required surgery, ruling him out for at least 12 weeks.[8] On May 26, he was placed on the 60-day injured list.[9] On September 1, Arihara was activated from the injured list. On September 19, Arihara was designated for assignment by the Rangers.[10]
References
- ^ "北海道日本ハムファイターズ 選択選手一覧". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "Hurler Arihara foils Marines as Fighters cruise to 13th consecutive victory The Japan Times-Jul 9, 2016 Kohei Arihara allowed no runs for the second straight start, pitching the ... Arihara (9–3), last year's PL Rookie of the Year, worked eight innings". Japan Times. Japan Times. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "Yakult's Yamada, Softbank's Yanagita win MVP Awards". Japan Times. Japan Times. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "有原航平投手のポスティングシステム申請手続きについて". 北海道日本ハムファイターズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ T.R. Sullivan (December 26, 2020). "Arihara gives Rangers innings, rotation depth". MLB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "Texas Rangers sign free agent RHP Kohei Arihara to two-year contract". MLB.com Press Release. December 26, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "有原投手とテキサス・レンジャーズとの契約が成立". 北海道日本ハムファイターズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). December 27, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Rangers' Kohei Arihara to Undergo Shoulder Surgery".
- ^ "Rangers Place David Dahl on IL, Select Jason Martin".
- ^ https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rangers-kohei-arihara-dfad-by-texas/
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- NPB.com